Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for closed-loop sleep protection and/or sleep regulation. According to an aspect, a biosignal parameter and ambient noise are measured. The biosignal parameter is used to determine sleep condition of a subject. The sleep condition is determined based on one or more of personalized sleep data or historical sleep data collected using a subset of society. Based on the sleep condition, an arousal threshold is determined. Based on the ambient noise and the determined sleep condition, one or more actions are taken to regulate sleep and avoid sleep disruption.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for non-linear breathing entrainment. As described herein, “breathing entrainment” refers to guiding a user's breath or breathing. According to an aspect, an initial breathing period and a final breathing period are selected. Based on the initial and final breathing periods, a non-linear breath rate per minute sequence is determined. A guiding stimulus is output and aligned with the non-linear breath rate per minute sequence. The guiding stimulus is non-linearly altered with the non-linear breath rate per minute sequence to align with the final breathing period over an interval of time. The non-linear alterations of the guiding stimulus vary based on an amount of time the guiding stimulus has been output.

Abstract: An eartip includes a compliant portion that forms at least a portion of a sound channel, and a wax guard that is supported in the compliant portion and is disposed within the sound channel. The wax guard includes a porous, planar body that permits the passage of acoustic energy but inhibits the passage of cerumen therethrough, and a retention member. The retention member is arranged along an outer edge of the planar body and in direct contact with the compliant portion. The retention member includes a plurality of openings. A compliant material that forms the compliant portion permeates the openings in the retention member to assist in retaining the wax guard in the compliant portion.

Abstract: An earphone includes a loudspeaker, a microphone, a housing supporting the loudspeaker and microphone, and ear tip surrounding the housing and configured to acoustically couple both the loudspeaker and the microphone to an ear canal of a user, and to acoustically close the entrance to the user's ear canal. A processor provides output audio signals to the loudspeaker, receives input audio signals from the microphone, extracts a rate of respiration from the input audio signals, adjusts the output audio signals based on the extracted rate of respiration, and provides the adjusted output audio signals to the loudspeaker.

Abstract: An eartip includes a compliant portion that forms at least a portion of a sound channel, and a wax guard that is supported in the compliant portion and is disposed within the sound channel. The wax guard includes a porous, planar body that permits the passage of acoustic energy but inhibits the passage of cerumen therethrough, and a retention member. The retention member is arranged along an outer edge of the planar body and in direct contact with the compliant portion. The retention member includes a plurality of openings. A compliant material that forms the compliant portion permeates the openings in the retention member to assist in retaining the wax guard in the compliant portion.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for estimating a biometric parameter using multiple sensors. As described herein, multiple sensors are strategically used to output with increased confidence a biometric parameter. Multiple sensors are strategically used to save power while determining an accurate biometric estimation. Additionally, multiple sensors are used to detect and categorize a sleep apnea event.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for determining a subject's PPG based on a signal collected in-ear. Based on the PPG, one or more biometrics are determined including a heart rate, HRV, RR, SpO2 level, blood pressure, blood glucose level, or hemoglobin A1C level. RR and SpO2 are used to determine the presence of a sleep apnea event. The methods and apparatus of determining the subject's PPG described herein are continuous and non-invasive.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for determining if a BTE portion of a hearing assistance device is determined to be either a “good fit” (i.e. placed correctly) or “bad fit” (i.e. placed incorrectly). The hearing assistance device includes a sensor in the BTE portion of the device. The sensor measures acceleration due to gravity in one or more of the x, y, and z directions, or any combination thereof. The measured acceleration is input into a pre-trained classifier model that outputs whether the BTE portion is placed correctly or not placed correctly. At least one of the hearing assistance device or a user device in communication with the hearing assistance device provides feedback regarding the positioning of the hearing assistance device. In aspects, the hearing assistance device or the user device guides the user to properly adjust placement of the BTE portion of the device.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for determining if a BTE portion of a hearing assistance device is determined to be either a “good fit” (i.e. placed correctly) or “bad fit” (i.e. placed incorrectly). The hearing assistance device includes a sensor in the BTE portion of the device. The sensor measures acceleration due to gravity in one or more of the x, y, and z directions, or any combination thereof. The measured acceleration is input into a pre-trained classifier model that outputs whether the BTE portion is placed correctly or not placed correctly. At least one of the hearing assistance device or a user device in communication with the hearing assistance device provides feedback regarding the positioning of the hearing assistance device. In aspects, the hearing assistance device or the user device guides the user to properly adjust placement of the BTE portion of the device.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for closed-loop sleep protection and/or sleep regulation. According to an aspect, a biosignal parameter and ambient noise are measured. The biosignal parameter is used to determined sleep condition of a subject. The sleep condition is determined based on one or more of personalized sleep data or historical sleep data collected using a subset of society. Based on the sleep condition, an arousal threshold is determined. Based on the ambient noise and the determined sleep condition, one or more actions are taken to regulate sleep and avoid sleep disruption.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for closed-loop sleep protection and/or sleep regulation. According to an aspect, a biosignal parameter and ambient noise are measured. The biosignal parameter is used to determined sleep condition of a subject. The sleep condition is determined based on: (1) one or more of personalized sleep data, (2) historical sleep data collected for a subset of society, or (3) a combination of both. Based on the sleep condition, an arousal threshold is determined. Based on the ambient noise and the determined sleep condition, one or more actions are taken to regulate sleep and avoid sleep disruption by using sound masking or active noise reduction (ANR).

Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a method that includes receiving one or more electronic files comprising information on structural features of a portion of an ear of a user, generating an electronic representation of the eartip or a cast based on a portion of the information on the structural features of the portion of the ear, and producing the eartip based on the electronic representation. The eartip includes an outlet, and a sealing structure disposed around an exterior of the outlet, wherein a first end of the sealing structure is attached to the outlet, and a second, opposite end of the sealing structure is physically separated from the exterior of the outlet. Generating the electronic representation includes configuring one or more structural parameters of the outlet or the sealing structure in accordance with the structural features of the portion of the ear.

Abstract: A device for measuring a body temperature includes an earbud configured for insertion into at least a portion of an ear canal of a user to thereby create a substantially sealed ear canal. A temperature sensing element is fixed to the earbud at a location in which the temperature sensing element is thermally coupled to air in the sealed ear canal when the earbud is at least partially inserted into the ear canal. The temperature sensing element has a temperature-dependent electrical characteristic. The temperature sensing element is in electrical communication with a circuit that is configured to determine a temperature of the air in the sealed ear canal of the user in response to the temperature-dependent electrical characteristic.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for determining a subject's sleep stage based on a PPG signal measured using an in-ear earpiece. In aspects, one or more physiological signals are estimated based on the PPG. Based, at least in part, on the determined sleep stage, one or more outputs are provided. In an example, the outputs are provided to the subject, the subject's physician, the subject's clinician, the cloud, and/or a device external to the apparatus. The methods and apparatus of determining the subject's sleep state described herein are continuous and non-invasive and eliminate the need for a clinical setting.

Abstract: An earphone includes a loudspeaker, a microphone, a housing supporting the loudspeaker and microphone, and ear tip surrounding the housing and configured to acoustically couple both the loudspeaker and the microphone to an ear canal of a user, and to acoustically close the entrance to the user's ear canal. A processor provides output audio signals to the loudspeaker, receives input audio signals from the microphone, extracts a rate of respiration from the input audio signals, adjusts the output audio signals based on the extracted rate of respiration, and provides the adjusted output audio signals to the loudspeaker.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for non-linear breathing entrainment. As described herein, “breathing entrainment” refers to guiding a user's breath or breathing. According to an aspect, an initial breathing period and a final breathing period are selected. Based on the initial and final breathing periods, a non-linear breath rate per minute sequence is determined. A guiding stimulus is output and aligned with the non-linear breath rate per minute sequence. The guiding stimulus is non-linearly altered with the non-linear breath rate per minute sequence to align with the final breathing period over an interval of time. The non-linear alterations of the guiding stimulus vary based on an amount of time the guiding stimulus has been output.

Abstract: An earphone includes a loudspeaker, a microphone, a housing supporting the loudspeaker and microphone, and ear tip surrounding the housing and configured to acoustically couple both the loudspeaker and the microphone to an ear canal of a user, and to acoustically close the entrance to the user's ear canal. A processor provides output audio signals to the loudspeaker, receives input audio signals from the microphone, extracts a rate of respiration from the input audio signals, adjusts the output audio signals based on the extracted rate of respiration, and provides the adjusted output audio signals to the loudspeaker.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for closed-loop sleep protection and/or sleep regulation. According to an aspect, a biosignal parameter and ambient noise are measured. The biosignal parameter is used to determined sleep condition of a subject. The sleep condition is determined based on one or more of personalized sleep data or historical sleep data collected using a subset of society, or both. Based on the sleep condition, an arousal threshold is determined.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide an audio product for obtaining biologically-relevant information associated with a user comprising. The audio product includes at least two electrodes, a processor, and an electroacoustic transducer coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to receive at least one signal affected by an action of the user obtained via the first electrode or the second electrode and take one or more actions based on the at least one signal. The at least one action may control another device, in an effort to provide hands-free control of the other device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for automatically adjusting, by an audio device, the SPL of its audio output. As described herein, the SPL is adjusted based on approximated noise in an ear canal of occluded ears as determined by an accelerometer measuring the user's motion. According to aspects, the audio device adjusts a tone of the signal by adjusting the SPL of a set of frequencies and also adjusts the overall gain of the full frequency spectrum of the audio signal. The tone may be adjusted more quickly as compared to the overall broadband gain.